Berceuse in D-flat

William Faulkes (1863-1933), composer, organist, pianist, arranger, recitalist, teacher, chamber musician, conductor, musical organizer. Remarkably, for a composer so fluent and prolific, Faulkes was consistently omitted from the major dictionaries of music. From time to time, he is found in smaller more specific dictionaries at times, and is sometimes described as a leader of the modern English school of organ playing; or a leading composer of the English romantic school of organ playing.

Born in Liverpool, at the age of 10 became a chorister at St. Margaret's Church, Anfield, which was the largest brick church in England, and had the largest organ in Liverpool. At the age of 18, he was appointed organist of St. John's, Tue Brook, and five years later returned to St. Margaret's. He had a fine all-male (all volunteer) choir, and the level of musical excellence at the church was significant. As an organist, he was a brilliant performer, and earned the admiration of the leading British organist of the time, W. T.
Best.

"Berceuse in D-flat" was published by G. Schirmer in 1905. It is dedicated: "To William C. Carl, Esq., New York."

William Crane Carl (1865-1936) was a well-known organist of his day. He was organist of Old First Church (Presbyterian) in Newark, N.J. from 1882-1892, and then organist of First Presbyterian Church in NYC, where he founded the Guilmant Organ School.

"Berceuse in D-flat" is quite a gem of it's type. It has the elements that you'd expect from a berceuse. The first section presents the main theme, played upon the Swell Hautbois, with a combination of other soft 16' and 8' stops. The real delight is the second section where the beauty and difficult appears.

The melody is played in the left hand upon the Vox Humana, while the right hand plays delicate and rapid figurations, which can certainly qualify as an etude!

Another period gem. :-)

The score is attached below, as well as photos of William Faulkes and William C. Carl.